Dhaka was ranked eighth among the world’s most polluted cities on Monday morning (August 25, 2025), with an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 107 recorded at 9:40 am.

According to the AQI scale, this level categorizes the city’s air as “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” posing potential health risks to children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory or heart conditions.

The capital`s air had remained in the moderate range over the past few days but has now crossed into the higher-risk bracket. AQI values are interpreted as follows:

0–50: Good

51–100: Moderate

101–150: Unhealthy for sensitive groups

151–200: Unhealthy

201–300: Very unhealthy

301+: Hazardous

On the global list, Jakarta (Indonesia) ranked first with an AQI of 176, followed by Kinshasa (DR Congo) at 162 and Cairo (Egypt) at 153.

The AQI is a tool that reports daily air quality levels and associated health concerns. In Bangladesh, it is calculated based on five major pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO?), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO?), and ozone (O?).

Dhaka has struggled with severe air pollution for years. Its air quality typically worsens during the dry winter months due to increased dust, industrial activity, and vehicular emissions. Conditions generally improve during the monsoon season when rainfall helps cleanse the air.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution is a major global health hazard, contributing to an estimated seven million deaths annually. Most fatalities result from diseases like stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and acute respiratory infections.

Health officials urge vulnerable groups in Dhaka to limit outdoor activities when pollution levels are high and recommend using protective masks if exposure is unavoidable.